CAPILLAROSCOPIC PICTURE OF THE GINGIVA UNDER THE SUPRAOCCLUSAL RELATIONS OF INDIVIDUAL TEETH WITHIN THE AGE-SPECIFIC ASPECT

Abstract

The aim of the study. To study the capillaroscopic picture of the gingiva of people of different age groups in the supraocclusal relations of individual teeth. Materials and methods of the study. Functional studies of periodontal tissue microcirculation in the supraocclusal teeth relationships in patients of different age groups were performed. The study was conducted in 60 patients (23 men and 37 women) aged 25 to 75 years without concomitant somatic pathology. All patients were divided into 2 groups: control (11 men and 19 women) and experimental (12 men and 18 women). Each group was divided into 3 subgroups depending on age: young age (25 – 44 years), middle age (45 – 60 years) and elderly age (60 – 75 years) according to the WHO classification. The control group included patients with intact periodontium without signs of dental supraocclusion, and the experimental group included patients with intact periodontium with signs of supraocclusion of individual teeth. Patients were divided by age and gender into groups and subgroups. The presence of supraocclusal relations of individual teeth was determined by computer analysis using the T-Scan III apparatus by Tekscan, Inc. (Boston, USA), and the data obtained were stored in a personal computer. For noninvasive study of periodontal tissue microcirculation, a computerized portable microscope – Didital Mscroscope – with a magnification of 5 times was used. This method is based on the lifetime study of biological objects using a high-resolution optical system. The computerized capillaroscope consists of a sensor with a built-in lighting system, which, by sending a light beam to the gum area under study, helps to visualize low-contrast objects of the vascular system. The analysis of the capillaroscopic picture included determining the distribution of capillaries in the marginal part of the gums, their shape, architectonics, and number in the field of view. The study was conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 281 of November 1, 2000, and the World Medical Association’s Declaration of Helsinki for the Ethical Principles of Scientific Medical Research Involving Human Subjects. All participants signed an informed consent to the use of their data for scientific research. Statistical data processing was performed using AtteStat v.12.5 with the determination of the mean and its error (M±m). The normality of the samples was determined by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The probable significance of the difference in the data obtained was determined by the parametric Student’s test for two independent samples (at p ≤ 0.05). Scientific novelty. The number of capillaries in the experimental group was less than in the control group (p<0.05). In young patients, the number of capillaries was 20.7% less, in middle-aged patients – 23.2%, and in elderly patients – 24.6%. It was also noted that the number of capillaries in the field of view within both the control and experimental groups decreased with age. Conclusions. The presence of supraocclusal relations of individual teeth causes a decrease in the number of capillaries in the field of view of periodontal tissues in people of all age groups. The number of capillaries in the gingiva also decreases with age, regardless of the state of occlusion.